Transparency file



April 1, 1958 R. A. SHOAN TRANSPARENCY FILE Filed Sept. 26, 1955 @wwwAn/5.

United tates Patent TRANSPARENCY FILE Raymond A. Shoah, Clarendon Ellis,lli. Application September 26, 1955, Serial No. 536,358 4 Claims. (Cl.t0-158) The present invention relates generally to files for filmtransparencies and more particularly to a file card which is providedwith a plurality of pockets for holding a plurality of transparenciesand which is constructed and indexed in a manner such that any desiredtransparency can be quickly located and removed therefrom.

The word transparency as used herein is` intended to include within itsscope film, film slides, and the like.

The objects of the present invention are: to provide novel transparencytile which is capable of holding a large number of transparencies andwhich permits one to quickly locate and readily remove any desiredtransparency without handling any other transparency; to provide atransparency le which includes improved means for identifying thetransparencies held therein; to provide a transparency tile whichpermits the transparencies held in the tile, as well as additionalidentifying data, to be viewed by transmitted light; to provide animproved laminated tile for holding transparencies; to provide a filecard for holding transparencies which includes an upper marginal areawhich is scored to simplify the renioval of selected portions thereof soas to thereby provid an upwardly extending index tab in any of aplurality of preselected positions at the upper end of the le card; toprovide a file card for transparencies which includes improved means foridentifying and/or locating any desired transparency; and to provide apaperboard tile card type transparency holder which is of simple andinexpensive construction and which is rugged and durable in use.

@ther obiects and advantages of the inventiony will be understood byreference to the following description accompanying drawings whichillustrate various aspects of the invention.

ln the drawings:

Figure l is a front elevational view of a transparency tile formed inaccordance with the present invention which is adapted for holding aplurality of iilrn slides, two of which are shown in position within thefile;

Figure 2 is a partial sectional view taken along the line 2 2 of Figurel; and

Figure 3 is a partial sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of Figurel.

1B eferring to the drawings, the transparency tile 1 is rectangular inoutline and is arranged to receive twelve film transparencies' in threeparallel rows of four each. However, it will be understood that thetransparency file may be arranged to receive any desired number of hlmtransparencies, and the number of pockets to receive them in any row andthe number of rows may beY varied as desired.

Preferably, the transparency tile l is made of paper and. paperboard;however, other suitable materials may be employed. The transparency leis laminated and consists of a backing sheet 3, an intermediate sheet4.y and a front or facing sheet 5. The sheets 3', 4, and 5v are suitablyformed as will be hereinafter described and l .ice

adhesively secured together to form the completed transparency lile l.

The transparency tile l is generally rectangular in form and of asuitable size to support the desired number of film transparencies. Eachof the laminated sheets 3, 4, and 5 have outside dimensions identicalwith, and therefore extend to, the outer edges of the transparency le l.The intermediate sheet d is aligned with and ad-V hesively secured tothe backing sheet 3 and the facing sheet 5 is aligned with andadhesively secured to the surface of the intermediate sheet 4 oppositethe backing sheet 2.

The rectangular backing sheet 3 must, for the purposes of. thisinvention, be of a material which is capable of at leas-t partial-lytransmitting light therethrough and must have a surface which is capableof receiving suitable imressions from a writing implement such as a penor pencil. ln addition, the backing sheet should be capable of beingdistorted at least to a slight extent and it should have sutlicientstrength to resist ripping or tearing when strained. Various relativelythin, transparent or translucent sheets are suitable for this purpose.One such sheet which l have used is #69 whiteV offset paper.-

The intermediate rectangular paperboard sheet 4 may be thicker andsomewhat less liexible than the backing sheet 3. lt is not necessary forthe intermediate sheet 4 to transmit light and consequently aninexpensive opaque sheet such as #27 strawboard may be used. 'l'heintermediate sheet l is provided with spaced rows of uniformly spacedtransparency receiving apertures 6 of dimensions slightly larger thanVthe film transparencies which. are to be held in the tile, therebyproviding recesses within which the film transparencies may bepositioned. in order to maintain the transparencies securely 'within thetransparency file, as will hereinafter be made clear, the thickness ofthe intermediate sheet l is desirably slightly less than the thicknessof the lower marginal portions of the film transparencies 2.

rlhe. intermediatey sheet i is also provided with an 40 equal number ofrelatively narrow, elongated apertures 7, one of which is locatedadjacent each of the apertures d. ln the illustrated tile l, theapertures 7 extend horilZontally and arey positioned immediately beloweach of the apertures 6. However, it will be realized that the shape andsize of the apertures 7 as well as their location relative totheapertures 6 may beY varied considerably.

The facing sheet 5 is formed of suitable paper or paperboard materialwhich has sufficient strength to re'- sist ripping or tearing 'whenstrained and at the same time permits at least a slight amount ofdistortion. The facing sheet 5 must also have a smooth-surface which iscapable of receiving suitable-impressions' from a writingimplement.While the facing sheet 5 neednot be opaque, it is desirable that eitherthe intermediate sheet or the facing sheet or both be opaque for reasonswhich will hereinafter become clear. Various' paper or relatively thinpaperboard sheets are suitable for use in forming' the facing sheet, onesuchy sheet being ll() index board.` The facing sheet 5' is providedwith'Y spaced rows of uniformly spaced apertures 8 which vare equal innumber and inspacial arrangement to the apertures 6' in the"intermediate sheet d; The apertures 8 have the same length and slightlyless height than the apertures 6, and are positioned within the sheet 5so that its upper and side edges are aligned with the upper and sideedges of the apertures 6 in the sheet 4.

the facing sheet 5 extend over the lower marginal portions oftheapertures d, and with underlying portions of the backing sheet 3, formpockets l@ for receiving the lower Since the height of the apertures Sis less than the height of the apertures 6, portions 9 of marginalportions of film transparencies 2 which are to be held within thetransparency file. This construction also provides suitable recessesimmediately above the pockets for receiving Vthe remaining portions ofthe film transparencies 2.

Since the intermediate sheet 4 is slightly less in thickness than thelower marginal portion of the film trans` parencies 2, the filmtransparencies must distort the portions of the backing sheet 3 and/orthe facing sheet 5 which form the pockets 10 as they are inserted intothe pockets. This is clearly illustrated in Figures 2 and 3. The tightengagement of the film transparencies within the pockets 1li of the tileminimizes the possibility of the inadvertent dislodgement of the filmtransparencies from the pockets.

The facing sheet 5 also includes a plurality of relatively narrow,elongated apertures 11 which are identical in number and position withthe apertures 7 in the intermediate sheet 4. The apertures 11 arealigned with the apertures 7 and provide recesses in the file 1 withinwhich underlying portions 12 of the backing sheet 3 are visible. Theunderlying portions 12 of the backing sheet provide title areas for thefilm transparencies Z which are located in the file.V

As previously indicated, either or both the intermediate sheet 4 and thefacing sheet 5 are preferably opaque so that light may be transmittedonly through the areas encompassed Within the apertures d, 7, 8, and 11,whereby, by directing the transparency file towards a source of light,both the film transparencies within the file as well as their titleswill become visible by trans-illumination for purposes ofidentification. Such a source of light in a darkened projection room maybe only that escaping from the top of a projector.

An upper marginal end portion of the facing sheet 5 is provided withsuitable score lines 13 which divides the upper end portion of thefacing sheet into five equal, longitudinally extending sections 14. Thescore lines 13 provide a visible guide for selective removal of any fourof the sections 14, thereby forming an index tab at any one of livepreselected positions at the upper end of the file. It will beunderstood that the number of sections 14 which are provided by theguide lines 13 may be varied as desired. The index tabs provide asuitable location for writing titles or information which will generallyidentify the film transparencies held in the file.

For convenience during use, each of the pockets in the file may benumbered as indicated at 1S and the film transparencies which are placedin the pockets may be similarly numbered as indicated at 16 may beeasily positioned in the file. may give an identifying number of thetransparency file itself as indicated at 17 and this same number mayalso be suitably positioned on each film transparency in the file asindicated at 18. yWhen the transparency, file and the lm transparenciesare so indexed, it is a simple matter to locate the proper position ofany film transparency in its appropriate tile after its removal.

If desired, the backing sheet may include apertures located within thecentral area of the apertures 6 and 8 as indicated in dotted outline at19. A sufficient amount of the backing sheet 3 must remain Within theperipheral boundaries of the apertures 6 and 8 to provide a suitablebacking for the outer margins of the film transparencies 2. In thisconstruction, a somewhat greater amount of light will bc transmitted tothe central area of the film transparencies than in the previouslydescribed file construction.

When the film transparencies 2 are positioned within suitably titled andindexed transparencies filed in accordance with the present invention,it is not necessary to remove selected transparencies prior to theirprojection in a darkened room. There is normally sufficient light whichis emitted from the projector for the projectionist to view both thefilm transparencies 2 and the titles in In addition, one

so that they an otherwise darkened room. Any given transparency mayeasily be located and selectively removed for viewing. Afterwards, it isalso a simple matter to again relocate and reinsert the selectedtransparencies Within the file either during the period of projection,or later, as desired.

The described transparency file is capable of holding a large number oftransparencies in an orderly fashion. In addition to the variousdesirable features which have been set forth above in connection withthe description of the transparency file, it is inexpensive to constructand rugged and durable during use.

While this invention has been shown in connection with the details of acertain embodiment of the invention, it is obvious to those skilled inthe art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various changesand modifications without departing from the scope of the invention.Various features believed to be new are set forth in the appendedclaims.

I claim:

l. A transparency file having at least one pocket therein of suitabledimensions for receiving the lower marginal portion of a filmtransparency, the distance between the front and rear Walls of saidpocket being slightly less than the thickness of the lower marginalportion of said film transparency and at least one of said walls beingslightly distortable so that said lower marginal portion of said filmtransparency will be tightly engaged by the walls of said pocket wheninserted therein, at least a portionV of said file immediately abovesaid pocket having means to permit light to be at least partiallytransmitted therethrough to thereby trans-illuminate at least a portionof said film transparency when it is positioned in said pocket, andanother portionof said file adjacent said pocket and outside the areaoccupied by said film transparency when it is positioned in said pockethaving a surface adapted for receiving written impressions and forpermitting light to be at least partially transmitted therethrough tothereby trans-illuminate any written matter thereon.Y

2. A generally rectangular paperboard transparency file having aplurality of spaced pockets therein o'f suitable dimensions forreceiving the lower marginal portions of a plurality of filmtransparencies, the distance between the front and rear walls of saidpockets being slightly less than the thicicnessroiC the lower marginalportions of said film transparencies and'at least one of said wallsbeing slightly distortable so that said lower marginal portions of saidfilm transparencies will be tightly engaged by the front and rear wallsof said pockets when inserted therein, portions of said file immediatelyabove said pockets having means to permit light to be at least partiallytransmitted therethrough to thereby trans-illuminate at least a portionof each of said film transparencies which are positioned in saidpockets, and another portion of said rile adjacent each of said pocketsbut outside the areas occupied by said film transparencies when locatedin said pockets having a surface adapted for receiving writtenimpressions and for permitting light to be at least partiallytransmitted therethrough to thereby trans-illuminate any written matterthereon.

3. A laminated paperboard transparency file comprising a backing sheetformed of a material which permits light to be at least partiallytransmitted therethrough and having a surface adapted for receivingwritten impressions, an intermediate sheet having outside surfacedimensions approximately equal to the outside surface dimensions of saidbacking sheet superposed over and adhesively secured to said backingsheet, said intermediate sheet having a,plurality of transparencyapertures therein of dimensions slightly larger than the filmtransparencies which are to be heldl in said file, said intermediatesheet also having an additional generally elongated aperture locatedadjacent each of said transparency apertures, a facing sheet havingoutside surface dimensions approximately equal to the outside surfacedimensions of said backing and intermediate sheets superposed over andadhesively secured to the face of said intermediate sheet opposite saidbacking sheet, said facing sheet having a plurality of apertures eachhaving the same length and slightly less height than said transparencyapertures in said intermediate sheet, the upper and side edges of eachof said apertures in said facing sheet being aligned with the upper andside edges of a transparency aperture in said intermediate sheet,thereby forming pockets for engaging the lower marginal portions of saidlilm transparencies and recesses for receiving the remaining portions ofsaid lm transparencies, said facing sheet also having an additionalgenerally elongated aperture of similar dimensions to and aligned witheach of the elongated apertures in said intermediate sheet so as toprovide visible title areas on said backing sheet, and at least one ofsaid sheets other than said backing sheet being opaque so that lightwill be only selectively transmitted through said file.

4. A generally rectangular laminated paperboard transparency filecomprising a backing sheet formed of a translucent material which has asurface adapted for receiving written impressions, an intermediate sheethaving outside surface dimensions approximately equal to the outsidesurface dimensions of said backing sheet superposed over and adhesivelysecured to said backing sheet, said intermediate sheet having aplurality of transparency apertures therein of dimensions slightlylarger than the film transparencies which are to be held in said le,said intermediate sheet also having an additional generally elongatedaperture located adjacent each of said transparency apertures, a facingsheet having outside surface dimensions approximately equal to theoutside surface dimensions of said backing and intermediate sheetssuperposed over and adhesively secured to the face of said intermediatesheet opposite said backing sheet, said facing sheet having a pluralityof apertures each having the same length and slightly less height thansaid transparency apertures in said intermediate sheet, the upper andside edges of each of said apertures in said facing sheet being alignedwith the upper and side edges of a transparency aperture in saidintermediate sheet, thereby forming pockets for engaging the lowermarginal portions of said lm transparencies and recesses for receivingthe remaining portions of said hn transparencies, said intermediatesheet having a thickness less than the thickness ofthe lower marginalportions of the lm transparencies and at least one of said facing andbacking sheets being slightly distortable so that the walls of saidpockets may tightly engage the lrn transparencies, said facing sheetalso having an additional generally elongated aperture of similardimensions to and aligned with each of the elongated apertures in saidintermediate sheet so as to provide Visible title areas on said backingsheet, and at least one of said sheets other than said backing sheetbeing opaque so that light will be only selectively transmitted throughsaid le.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,210,215 Satterlee Dec. 26, 1916 1,550,838 Parker Aug. 25, 19252,127,940 Rinn Aug. 28, 1938 2,282,872 Mayer et al May 12, 19422,311,646 De Sherbinin Feb. 23, 1943 2,334,176 De Sherbinin Nov. 16,1943 2,508,854 Brodsky May 23, 1950 2,528,366 Houston Oct. 31, 19502,750,698 Nichols June 19, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 3,235 Great Britain Mar.2, 1887

